Cancer back in NIPPLE
Cancer back in NIPPLE I was 1st diagnosed in 2003 aged 41 with ER- grade 3. WLE followed by Epirubicin/CMFand 25 sessions of radiotherapy.
All was great until July2006 when cancer reared its ugly head again in same breast. This time I has a mastectomy with reconstruction using muscle from my back and inplant. My surgeon was confident that it would be ok to leave the nipple. Also had taxotere which finished Jan 2007
However, found out yesterday that a lump in same nipple is cancerous and I am going into hospital next tues to have the nipple and some surrounding skin removed. He is then going to replace inplant with a smaller one as amount of skin being removed means old inplant would be too big.
Big question for me is should I just have whole breast removed as I am frightened that cancer may have gone into muscle although my surgeon thinks not?
Its not that I dont trust him it is just that cancer has come back so quickly after chemo I dont know what to do for the best.
has anyone been thru similar or does anyone have advise?
Told my children tonight who are devastated. It is heartbreaking to keep putting them thru this
Hi Christina
If you have a look at my story you’ll see that it seems anything is possible. Only had the lumpectomy last June, chemo and rads and just as I’m back on form it’s back again. I like to think they missed this last time and its been supressed. However, you can believe anything can’t you and as someone else has said on these forums you can spend a day on the internet reading and end up in the depths of despair because you have interpreted everything in a certain way.
We’re all different and our cancers seem to behave differently as well.
BUT…even though it’s hard going we’re here to fight another day!
I agree it’s hard for family but that’s because we’re loved and love so much - that makes us special people!!
Take care!
Jane
Hi Christina,
So sorry the BC has reared it’s very ugly head again. I’ve only just been diagnosed with grade 1 - don’t know if ER+/- until after my op and sentinel node biopsy which is next Tuesday. My tumour is 8mm and right under the nipple. The Doc had no hesitation in recommending full mastectomy and went on to explain that some reconstructions that use seemingly “normal” nipple tissue can be very prone to cancer recurrence. I am not even bothering with reconstruction for the immediate future. I’m just 50, not menopausal and am more than fed up that I have become one of the 33% of the population that are destined to get some form of cancer. If you have a mastectomy it will go some way to give you reassurance that hopefully it has all been got rid of from the breast.
Only you can make the final decision. I did not hesitate as I could’nt bear the thought of any of the little monsters being left in my body.
Hope it all goes good for you,
XXX
Thanks Janewoo & Redvixen Thanks girls for your comments.
Just come back from church where after mass my priest annointed me with oil for the sick.
I can only place my trust in God to help me make the right decision.
I know what ever I do one of my friends or family will have their own opinion about what I should have done differently, but as we all know only we can the final decision
Operation tommorrow morning, Tues. So Please keep me in your prayers.
Determined to keep upbeat and positive. This disease isnt going to beat me without a fight!!!
Love to you all XXXXX
Janewoo Have tried to find your post but cant find it!
Where is it?
Love Christina
Hi Christina
My second post was under Local Recurrence as “recurrence after 11 months” - doesn’t tell you that much - just lumpectomy, chemo and rads then another lump (actually on the surface -like a spot!) within 11 months of original diagnosis.
I wasn’t given drug therapy and I’m HER2 - . I’ve been reading about this Triple Negative thing and I think that applies to me but I need someone to confirm that for me.
All I know now is that I am very frustrated that I cannot control this!!!
It’s so good to have each other’s suport though and although our lives are traumatic we can compare notes with each other.
Take care
Jane